MAURICIO POCHETTINO insists Tottenham know best when it comes to Harry Kane’s fitness.

Pochettino has taken aim at those who claim his star striker has not looked fit since the World Cup and needs a rest.

Kane has had just one full close season off – last summer – in the last four years: two years ago he was in France for the European Championships and the year before he played at the Under-21 equivalent.

In Tottenham’sPremier League win at Newcastle last weekend, Kane looked below-par.

It reignited suggestions that Pochettino should give his dual Golden Boot winner a break to rediscover his edge.

“They don’t know if Sunday Harry was off, Monday off or training or relaxation or one session or in the gym. Be sure that I am not going to take a risk.

“If we are conscious that we would be taking a risk, be sure he is not going to play. But the 25-30 people who are coaches, sport scientists and physios here, we talk a lot about fitness health and everything.

“If we are wrong it is 25-30 people who are wrong. When we take a decision about health it is not a football decision.

In total Kane played 59 games for club and country last season, climaxing in a run to the World Cup semi-finals with England.

He has defied ankle ligament injuries in each of the last two campaigns to bounce back to action.

Despite suggestions that he returned too soon after last season’s setback,

Kane went on to defy expectations and lift the World Cup Golden Boot in Russia.

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Pochettino said he would continue to rely on his coaching staff to manage the welfare of Harry Kane (Image: GETTY)

Yet television pundits Glenn Hoddle and Gary Neville were among the ex-pros who suggested Kane did not look fit at the tournament.

Pochettino maintained he would continue to rely on his trusted coaching staff to manage the welfare of Tottenham’s most valuable player.

He said: “The responsibility is for [assistant manager] Jesus Perez who coordinates everything is to tell me ‘this player can play and it’s not a risk’. But you know in football, it’s always impossible.

“The most fit players can get injuries. Of course if this happens someone will say you made a bad decision. But it is not easy.

“You know very well that taking decisions is the most difficult thing. The easy thing is to give your opinion when the thing happens or after the result.”